7/31/2007

BangladeshWith floodwater pouring in through their windows, thousands of people affected by South Asia's deadly deluge are being forced to share the limited high ground with venomous snakes, surrounded by filthy water. With almost half of Bangladesh submerged, and torrential rains pelting Nepal and India, more than 25 people have died as a result of the weather since Saturday. In Indian states Assam and Bihar, more than 24 people, including three children, were killed in weather-related incidents since Sunday morning, bringing the death toll to 75 in a week. "The floods situation has turned worse overnight." Bihar's residents fear an epidemic as bodies cannot be buried or cremated, with graveyards and cremation grounds under water. Torrential rains in Nepal's western Gulmi district caused a landslide that smothered seven farm workers. Snakes driven out of their usual habitat fatally bit nine people in villages in Bangladesh's flooded northern Pabna district in the last few days. The lives of millions of other people in the subcontinent are simply on hold as they sit on their roofs, high ground or in relief camps, most relying on their governments to bring food, clean water, clothes and medicine. In China, floods, landslides and mud flows triggered by torrential rains have killed 652 people so far this year, with more heavy rains forecast. Authorities in central China's Henan province were scrambling to save 69 miners trapped in an underground coal mine for more than 24 hours after flooding and landslides blocked their exit routes.

Satellite Image of Stewart IslandMore than a month's worth of rain has fallen on Stewart Island in the past five days, causing flooding and widespread slips which have left some residents with no access to their homes.

MetService readings show a record 177mm has pelted the island at the South West Cape since Wednesday, while further north in Oban, 118mm has fallen.

High winds and heavy seas also played havoc, pulling roads into the sea and causing landslips 30m wide.